MILL RIVER FINAL PLAN HIGHLIGHTS PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR JOB AND INDUSTRY GROWTH

(6/19/2013) Building on existing strengths of the Mill River District, the City of New Haven today released their plan to help revitalize the area as a destination hub for light industry, home improvement, and food businesses. The findings of the Mill River Planning Study were celebrated Wednesday at a press conference at the newly redeveloped 26 Mill Street in the heart of the Mill River district.

The Mill River Planning Report is the result of a thorough analysis of the ongoing successes and future opportunities in the area and was worked on by City economic development staff in consultation with experts in the field of industrial redevelopment. Building on the Mill River Phase 1 Planning and Redevelopment Framework, the final report identifies three primary development strategies that build off existing strengths of the area for job retention, job creation and economic growth. Those include:

• An Industrial Village promoting light industry and live-work spaces;

• A Home Improvement Marketplace that capitalizes on the multitude of home products already available in the district to create a shopping district competitive with suburban big box stores; and

• And Mercantile Food Hub to grow the robust food manufacturing and distribution sector in the area, which currently ships products across the county.

The final report makes recommendations in the areas including streetscape improvements, zoning, temporary uses, waterfront planning, wayfinding, branding and a capital investment strategy.

The project team considered actions and policies that could support redevelopment and job creation in both the short and long terms. It includes a comprehensive urban framework, a catalogue of smaller scale “test fits” based on a suite of building prototypes developed for the Mill River District, a set of long-range strategies for the Mill River’s waterfront, and a clearly-defined set of mechanisms for implementation.

This is an excerpt. To read the complete press release, please click on the link below.